Women sport news

Congratulations to Norwich Knights who are now unable to be caught at the top of the EKA National League Division One. They are the Champions for the 2007/8 season and will gain the automatic promotion place into the EKA National League Premier Division for the 2008/9 season.

Maria Sharapova ended Daniela Hantuchova's reign in the desert with a straight set quarterfinal win Wednesday night. She next faces countrywoman Svetlana Kuznetsova

Ana Ivanovic joined Russia's Maria Sharapova and Svetlana Kuznetsova in the semifinals Thursday with a win over Vera Zvonareva. The last quarterfinal will be played today.

Fara Williams believes that Thursday's game will be crucial for England's hopes of maintaining their recent progress and take another step towards Finland next year. photo FA

A stubborn Czech Republic ended England's 100% record in Group One as Hope Powell's side were left frustrated at drawing their final home qualifier. photo FA

Sarah Steyaert of France has won the 2008 Women's Laser Radial World Championship after a sensational finish to the regatta when Lijia Xu of China was disqualified from the final race ultimately costing her the world title. photo Will Calver

Ladies 2010 Acceleration Team member Kelly McBroom (Canmore, AB) picked up the first national championship title of her career yesterday, winning a super combined race in Mont Sainte Anne. photo Alpine Canada

The event, which took place in Szczecin from March 13 to 16, saw Hampshire Paralympian Di Coates, in the British contingent. photo BPA

French teenager Camille Serme made her mark in squash history twice on the final day of the European Junior U19 Championships in the Norwegian city of Stavanger - firstly by beating English opponent Victoria Lust in the women's final to become the first player in the event's 19-year history to win the title three times. photo WISPA

Top seed Ana Ivanovic ousted Italian Francesca Schiavone in three sets to set up a QF clash with Vera Zvonareva. Marion Bartoli also goes home after being defeated by former World Number 1 Lindsay Davenport.

It was a case of after the Lord Mayor’s Show for Slough who having clinched the Womens Premier Division title last weekend, were thrashed 5-1 at Olton for whom Denise Marston-Smith netted a hat-trick. This was not the best preparation for Slough who travel to Paris for the EuroHockey Cup Winners Cup over the Easter weekend.

Billabong Girls are back in the UK this July, hosting the Billabong Girls Surf Days on Saturday July 12th and Sunday July 13th in Woolacombe, Devon.

The Audi FIS Alpine World Cup has a different flag flying this year - the red, white and blue. For the first time in history, three Americans have claimed five of the 12 crystal globes. photo Doug Haney US Ski Team

The Swatch TTR 3-Star Nordic Open- Hemsedal Park Attack took over the Hemsedal park in Norway this weekend hosting sick riding on one of the most perfect parks in Europe. Female rider Sigri Heen, from Norway, dominated the women’s field with both riders taking home 550 TTR Ranking Points and part of the $10 000 USD prize-purse. photo © - Rasmus Werner & Simen Berg/hemsedalpark.no

BUSINESSES are missing out on the £21 billionn worth of commercial opportunities offered by the London 2012 Olympics, according to research published today by Games sponsors Lloyds TSB.

The British Judo Association has unveiled ambitious plans for a British Judo Performance Institute to be based in Dartford, Kent.

22 year-old Francisca Campos of Team Massi, won the elite women's race finishing in 1:39:46. Daniela Bunzli claimed second with 1:53:20 and Maria Elisa Garcia finished third in 2:01:35. Campos will be representing Chile at the next Olympic Games in Beijing.

1/4 final matches of the Women's EHF Champions League and European Cup competitions. photo Axel Heimken

Italian No.1 Francesca Schiavone downed Italian No.2 Flavia Pennetta in straight sets Monday to reach the last 16. Also among Monday's winners was No.3 seed Jelena Jankovic.

England defeat France on the second day at Cannock HC 1-0

The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars produced its most dominant batting display of the series to retain the Rose Bowl with an eight-wicket victory over New Zealand at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln this afternoon.

England international Florentyna Parker will defend her title at the French Lady Junior Championship at St Cloud, from March 20-24.

The Arrive alive Central Coast Pro saw teenage sensation and Arrive alive ambassador Sally Fitzgibbons (Gerroa) defeating 16 year old Laura Enever (North Narabeen) in the Women’s Final. photo ASP

The world’s best female surfers have converged upon the hallowed sands of Bells Beach, Australia for Event No. 2 of 8 on the 2008 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Rip Curl Women’s Pro presented by Ford Fiesta. photo Kristen Covered Images ASP

The Brazilian Poliana Okimoto obtained her second FINA victory in a World Cup competition in front of the young Frenchwoman (17 years old) Aurélie Muller and the Italian Martina Grimaldi.

The British Diving squad make their return to the international circuit at the LEN European Diving Championships this week hungry to replicate their performance at the World Cup last month.